Govt social housing plan for Galway totally inadequate – Ó Cuív

15th March 2017

Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West Éamon Ó Cuív has slammed the Housing Minister’s plan for building social housing units in Galway city, describing it as completely inadequate. Figures released to Deputy Ó Cuív reveal that only 14 houses are due to be built this year, with a further 55 earmarked for construction in 2018.

“There is an unprecedented housing crisis in Galway city, the worst in living memory, and this Government’s solution is 14 houses this year and another 55 next year. This is completely inadequate. Minister Coveney appears to be paralysed when it comes to adopting meaningful solutions to this spiralling crisis, which is fast becoming an emergency. It’s time the Minister revised his plans and started meeting the demand for units”, said Deputy Ó Cuív.

“Every week, my office is contacted by families heartbroken by the situations they find themselves in. We have been in crisis mode with regard to housing provision for a number of years now and the situation appears to be getting worse, not better.

“Government policies forcing people to migrate from rural areas to larger towns and cities are exacerbating the problem. A lack of investment in transport infrastructure and reduced public transport links means people have to move into the city where accommodation is scarce and prices are higher.

“A whole of Government approach is needed to tackle this issue – not just one Department. If transport services were improved, people would have the option of living in some of the suburban areas, thereby freeing up units in the city centre. The current plan completely fails to incorporate basic living requirements, and appears to be more focused on glossy documents and PR launches than the delivery of housing for families across the city”.

Hey Micheal Martin, whats this rubbish about you defending 180 Garda statements that didn't hold up in Court.. What strokes you trying to pulling in saving this broken institutions face.
A) Disband it, its too steeped in civil war politics.
B) Establish a new force with a separate investigative wing.
C) As the Police are a seperate institution to politics then make the new Commissioner an electable position to ensure public confidence instead of 'political' confidence (other countries do it)